This little rhythm synth is a 4 step sequencer and NAND synth. Switches allow the user to turn steps on and off, in order to create simple rhythms. The knobs from left to right are: volume, tempo, pitch, and filter.

Atari 520 ST 512kb RAM running the tracker Maxymiser. The Atari is hooked up to a composite to vga scaler and then to a LCD monitor.

The Commodore 64c is running MSSIAH and the monosynth program. and is not hooked up to any monitor during the movie. since the screen is black during “play-mode” it’s not necessary to have it hooked up ^^

The audio is connected to my Proton Stereo 520 amplifier, therefore the quite hard paining on the computers

I have composed the song myself and play a little extra bass on the c64.

While perusing the vast NAMM convention this year I bumped into the Mode Machines booth which is offering a lot of cool designs. I briefly plugged in and sampled some of the new SID synthesizer, which utilizes the classic Atari Commodore 64 SID chip as it’s sound source.

Mr Schmidt has made this synth to be a Super Synth – and indeed it appears to be just that. This is definitely a case of, if you have to ask how much this is, then you cant afford it. It has presets, it has 7 filters (3 ladder type, 4 state variable 12 dB set up as 2 ‘dual filters’) and 4 Oscs – each osc is a bit different. Something like 107 knobs on the thing!

Synth X by Way Out Ware, programmed by Jim Heintz
Demo by Mackenzie Starr

Jim Heintz, showing his SynthX 2 being used with the Ion AllStar Guitar MIDI controller. With SynthX being used in this mode, you can change tunings and string assignment to increase its flexibility. SynthX is compatible with the iPad 1, but working with the Ion controller requires iPad 2 or better.

“My final results from my Mutable Instruments Anushri build. Sound is all Anushri with a generous helping of reverb. Great kit, well engineered, fine for newbies like me. Get yours today, way fun.”

Anushri is a monosynth like no other. In addition to its analog VCO/VCF/VCA and digital modulation sources, it includes a fun and immediate note sequencer with step-by-step recording, and a gritty 8-bit drum machine with a truly original control interface.

Just like its elder sister the Shruthi, Anushri is not designed for industrial assembly but is instead sold as a kit – you can assemble it, modify it, expand it and service it without any specialized expensive equipment. Open source firmware and schematics give you full access, control and ownership of its circuitry and code.